Big pandemic setbacks for Bay Area fishing industry
It seems as if virtually no element of day to day life has gone unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fishing, both in a commercial and recreational sense, is no exception to this generalization.
In areas rich in watershed diversity, as is the case in Marin County, the ramifications of such pandemic-related impacts are often magnified. Marin has long served as a hub of excellent fishing, for both freshwater and saltwater species.
However, pandemic-era concerns have led many to stay home, rather than venturing from their house in search of adventure. Though recreational fishing can be conducted in a socially distanced manner, many anglers, especially those who are immunosuppressed, are reluctant to venture into bait shops and other fishing-related venues.
Furthermore, the Bay Area has always been a mainstay of the commercial fishing industry, which itself has been impacted by the pandemic.
A prime example of the pandemic’s impact on the Bay Area commercial fishing industry came in May, when a fish processing plant in Morgan Hill was closed due to the rapid spread of coronavirus among employees.
A commercial fishery, of any type, operates in a systematic manner. Without actively operating processing plants, pre-market processing slows, thereby stifling demand for commercially caught fish.
This can pose significant financial hardship for those who are employed in the local fishing industry. As of 2013, the Bay Area commercial fishery produced 32.4 million pounds of seafood, at an estimated value of $51.5 million.
While little can be done at a local level to curb these mass financial woes, aid has been rendered to the commercial fishing industry, at the federal level. In May, it was announced that funding would be provided, by section 12005 of the CARES Act, to assist fishery participants affected by COVID—19.
A total of $300 million was allocated for this purpose. It will be distributed through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to minimize the financial burden incurred during this year’s pandemic.
Although this comes as excellent news for those hard-working men and women who keep one of the Bay Area’s largest industries running around the clock, a more permanent solution to these financial woes must be devised.
How will Marin’s commercial fishery, as well as fisheries the world over, find permanent relief from COVID-19’s crippling effects? What does a return to normalcy really look like?
In any event, it now appears that COVID-19, as well as the pandemic that it has spawned, must simply be allowed to run its course before economic upturn and industry stability can be expected. Because of this, the commercial fishing industry, with the assistance of local, state and federal agencies must safeguard against further hardship.
A recent report published by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization has provided a comprehensive list of recommendations to mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19 on commercial fisheries worldwide. Several of these recommendations could prove sustainable when implemented in Marin, as well as other Bay Area fishing communities.
Most of these recommendations center around the creation of greater product demand, and the implementation of further industry specific financial assistance programs.
• In a time when many foodrelated supply chains are in disarray, the California prison system could contract with local and regional fisheries to purchase surplus seafood for inmate consumption. This would bolster demand, keeping many in the industry employed.
• Regionally and nationally backed lines of credit could be extended directly to various sectors of the commercial fishing industry. Due to the historical strength of the industry as a whole, repayment of such loans appears viable.
• On a much larger scale, trade restrictions on the international import and export of seafood could be relaxed, thereby stimulating the market, as other countries appear to further along in their COVID-19 recovery.
Recommendations center around the creation of greater product demand, and the implementation of further industry specific financial assistance programs.